Flying to Mexico in General Aviation Aircraft

Written By Felipe Santiago

This is my tailored version of AOPA’s article with my personal experiences. The original can be found here. If you have any questions or need some PIREPs please feel free to contact me via email.

FLIGHT PREPARATION

Pilot-in-Command

The pilot in command must have a current:

Passengers

  • Each passenger must have a current passport.

  • Tourist visas are not required for US Citizens.

  • Children traveling with only one parent must have a notarized statement of approval from the absent parent stating the dates of the trip.

Aircraft

All U.S. registered aircraft must have:

  • A standard airworthiness certificate

  • A permanent registration certificate (no temporary certificates/pink slips)

  • A radio station license. For more information on FCC requirements, click here.

  • Operating limitations information

  • Weight and balance information

  • Transponder with Mode C

  • Two-way radio equipment

  • If the aircraft is registered in another person’s or corporation’s name, AOPA recommends that you have a notarized letter authorizing use of the aircraft for flights in Mexico.

  • An ID data plate

  • 12-inch registration marks are required for crossing the ADIZ into Mexico.

  • Regarding experimental aircraft: Unless the aircraft has been prohibited from making an international flight to Mexico by the FAA, the aircraft is welcome to Mexico provided that the pilot abides by the limitations applied by the FAA in its operating limitations.

  • Aircraft used exclusively for private flights must be equipped with a 406-MHz ELT.

Insurance

  • Verify that Mexico is included in your policy’s territory.

  • Check that your policy has liability limits of at least $300,000.

  • Carry your aircraft insurance policy in the aircraft.

  • Present your insurance policy for validation upon arrival in Mexico.

  • It is still recommended that you carry a Mexican Liability Policy.  There may be some authorities in Mexico that do not recognize the U.S. policy. I recommend just coming in with a Mexican Policy, the are fairly inexpensive. Our insurance broker was able to do it really quickly for us. He email is: caitlyn.jones-henry@optisure.com. Make sure to tell Caitlyn I sent ya!

Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires:

  • An annual user fee decal ($28.84) – allow a few weeks for delivery. You can buy decals online.  For decal questions, call (317)-298-1245 or send an email to decals@dhs.gov.

  • eAPIS CBP’s Electronic Advance Passenger Information System. All pilots flying across the U.S. border are required to use eAPIS. eApis requires the pilot to send a manifest to CBP at least 60 minutes prior to departure. For your return trip back to the U.S., plan to land at the first airport of entry after crossing the U.S. border to clear customs.

  • I have made a video on eAPIS here.

ICAO Flight Plan

  • Use of an ICAO flight plan is currently required if the flight will enter international airspace.

    Here is a helpful video on ICAO flight plans. You will need to file them every time you go somewhere while in Mexico.

DEPARTING THE U.S.

  • Pilots crossing the U.S. border must be in communication with ATC and on a discrete squawk code.

  • All aircraft must be on an activated IFR or Defense VFR flight plan for flying through the ADIZ

  • You cannot bring firearms into Mexico.

ENTRY INTO MEXICO

Mexican NOTAM A 0313/08 is still in effect and has been incorporated into the Mexican Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP): Effective Feb. 1, 2008, any general aviation aircraft that plans to land in Mexico on a flight that originated in the Caribbean or Central and South America, must make their first landing in either Cozumel (MMCZ), or in Tapachula (MMTP). Both airports operate on a 24-hour schedule. This NOTAM is in effect until further notice. Note: It has been reported that occasional flights from the Bahamas, as well as from other countries, may be diverted to land at one of these airports.

  • Aircraft entering Mexico must make their first landing at a designated airport of entry along their route and notify Mexican customs and immigration.

  • Plan to arrive during normal business hours. If you are arriving after hours, on weekends or Mexican Holidays, you are cautioned to contact the airport authority or FBO for customs contact information and make whatever arrangements are legally required for your arrival.

  • Commercial operators, helicopters, and privately owned aircraft with more than 16 passenger seats or rental aircraft with more than eight passenger seats require advance permits. The permission must be requested in writing, at least five working days before the scheduled date of the trip.

IN MEXICO

Flight Operations in Mexico

  • You must always be on a flight plan while you are in Mexico, and be sure to keep hard copies of it with you.

  • It’s a good idea to make a low pass over the non-towered airfield prior to landing; often there are obstacles that could create a hazard to you and others.

  • If your flight entails overwater, desert, or mountain flying, consider carrying appropriate survival gear.

  • It is wise to take along your own oil, tiedown equipment, and security devices.

  • Overtime fees may accrue for late arrivals. Overnight parking fees and landing fees are charged at towered airports and are weight based. Air traffic control fees are charged as a separate user fee when you refuel.

  • Pay for fuel with cash (pesos preferred, although U.S. dollars are accepted). Bring plenty of small bills along to meet the exact amount. Fuel is available at most airports of entry and most towered fields in Mexico.

Night Operations Prohibited with these Exceptions

While you can fly at night with some exceptions I would avoid it at all costs. Unless its an emergency, it will save you time and headaches.

Entry Permits 

Mexico’s DGAC has modified the procedures for issuing and maintaining a Single-Entry or Multiple-Entry permit. While overall there is not a significant change to the procedures, there are some new requirements and steps being taken by the DGAC that are worrisome. The changes are clearly aimed at operators conducting illegal cabotage using U.S. registered aircraft and also demonstrates greater collaboration between Mexico’s DGAC and Mexican Immigration and Mexican Customs. However, under these new guidelines there are potential situations for law-abiding operators of U.S. registered aircraft to have issues flying to/within/from Mexico. Those situations especially at risk are:

  • Pilot changes. Operations where any change to pilots may be involved will void an Entry Permit.

  • Passenger manifest changes. Anyone who was not on board an aircraft when it entered the country must go through a new authorization procedure to fly on the aircraft.

  • Aircraft that are part of a Charter Certificate even if the aircraft is being flown under Part 91 could face legal action.

  • Mexico APIS. Those not aware of the new Mexico APIS rules. The new procedures include text regarding "electronic means" of information transfer to Mexico Immigration.

RETURNING TO THE U.S.

Departing Mexico

Clearance procedures involve returning your tourist visa(s) and departing from an airport of exit.

Returning to the U.S.

  • File and activate an IFR or Defense VFR flight plan for flying through the ADIZ.

  • Call U.S. CBP at least one hour and no more than 23 hours before your planned U.S. arrival time.

  • File an eAPIS arrival manifest (if you filed eAPIS reports for both legs of your trip before you left the U.S., you do not have to file again).

  • Your flight plan should include the estimated time of ADIZ penetration.

  • Your flight should have been planned in advance to land at the first U.S. CBP airport of entry after crossing the U.S. border to clear customs. Be on time. If you are arriving in southern Florida, you may land at any one of the following eight U.S. CBP airport of entry after crossing the U.S. border. Be on time – a little late is better than early.

    • Key West International Airport, (KEYW)

    • Tamiami Airport, Miami (KTMB) (Come say hi if you stop by)

    • Miami International Airport General Aviation Center (KMIA)

    • Opa Locka Airport, Miami (KOPF)

    • Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE)

    • Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International-General Aviation Facility (KFLL)

    • Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach (KPBI)

    • Saint Lucie County Airport, Fort Pierce (KFPR)

  • Pilot and passengers must remain inside the aircraft until the U.S. CBP officer instructs you to come out. (Tamiami Customs has never said anything about us coming down, been there 1,000 times.)

Here is a little bit our experience in Mexico. Definitely check it out. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to get back.

Felipe Santiago https://aviator.zone
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